July 2, 2009

Today in Tech: E-P1 Point and Shoot Digital SLRish

Amatuer photographers and prosumers unite!  This week on Today in Tech, we have the Olumpus E-P1.  It’s a sharp looking, retro styled “Four Thirds” sensor point and shoot camera.  Those hefty DSLR’s you see people lugging around are so large because they have much larger sensor’s inside that process the images when they’re taken.  The E-P1 basically shoves that DSLR style large sensor into a smaller point and shoot body.  The concept is very smart.  The question is whether the intro DSLR crowd will want to give up some of the advantages for the smaller body and slick looks.

I love the concept of the camera.  The consumer tech industry has been continually making everything smaller and/or thinner for years now but this hadn’t necessary translated into the high end camera industry.  Yes, there were high megapixel point and shoot cameras but they didn’t offer the convenience of having accessory support for SLR type lenses and other accesories.

Advantages:

- Smaller size makes it great for elderly people who can’t carry heavy objects.

-  The look of a less modern style camera may disuade criminals from trying to nab your toy.  Or they’ll find out about this gem and start stealing shitty old cameras thinking that they’re just like this one.

- Retro styling will make sure you keep your street cred when you’re photographing hobo’s in your trendy New York Burrough.  Also will make you look way cool at local indie shows.

- Interchangable lenses and a large sensor to fit your equally large ability to take amazing photographs for your facebook/twitpic/flickr/myspace/linkedin account.

- Shooting 720p video of how awesome you and your friends are at your local hang out. (also good for the amatuer smut videoteer)

- Allows you to make up words like Videoteer

Disadvantages:

- shutter lag! A common problem for non SLR digital cameras. This is what makes those “cool” unexpected effects on your concert photos which can also be called those “really shitty” photo effects.

-That gaping 900 dollar hole in your pocket for the body with 2 lens set.

-Doesn’t have a setting specifically for shooting low budget pornography… yet.

Check out the full specs below:

  • 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
  • Two new kit lenses (14-42mm M.Zuiko and 17mm F2.8 Pancake)
  • TruePic V image processor
  • 3.0” LCD screen (fixed, 230k dot resolution)
  • HD movies (720p) with stereo sound
  • Linear PCM sound recording
  • 3.0 fps sequential shooting
  • Built-in IS with max. 4 EV steps efficiency
  • Optional Adapters for all ZUIKO DIGITAL & OM lenses
  • Newly developed GUI for easier operation via Live Control
  • Automatic recognition of common scenes possible with i-Auto
  • Hipster Envy
  • Face Detection & Shadow Adjustment
  • Art Filters, multi-aspect ratios, multi exposure
  • In-camera raw conversion (including application of Art Filters)
  • Small & stylish design

by roninpowride

Comments (View)
blog comments powered by Disqus